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Perry Ellis Moto Jacket (Photo: Business Wire)

Perry Ellis International, Inc. (PEI) the company behind such brands as Perry Ellis, Original Penguin, Laundry by Shelli Segal, Rafaella, licensed Callaway golf apparel, and many others, knows a lot about natural disaster recovery. With headquarters in Miami, Florida and global offices around the world (including locations in New York and New Jersey), dealing with the aftermath of storms like Hurricane Andrew, Katrina, Wilma, and now Sandy, PEI has learned how to overcome these challenges, quickly, efficiently and with great resilience.

Perry Ellis Moto Jacket (Photo: Business Wire)

Being the start of what may be a long, cold winter, facing a nor’easter which threatens an onslaught of blizzards and plummeting temperatures, and receiving valuable feedback from associates affected in the area, PEI knew that just food, water, diapers and dollars were not going to be enough to keep people without power, heat or shelter warm through the season. Winter clothing had to be provided, and soon. So immediately, PEI dug into its current New Jersey warehouse supply and pulled Perry Ellis jackets for distribution throughout the area. And that was just the start.

Simultaneously, PEI associates in Miami pulled together a Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort, utilizing the company’s global customer database, asking for assistance in making a difference. Through channels like e-mail and social media brand fans were asked to donate coats, jackets and other warm clothing while PEI offered a match incentive. For every item received, the company would donate new outerwear up to 5,000 total pieces. An internal collection program was also created throughout other PEI offices, including Miami, Tampa, New York, Los Angeles and others, in order for associates to participate in the matched clothing drive.

“I am truly inspired by the people I work with. It is a great honor not only to be their leader but to be their colleague,” said George Feldenkreis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Perry Ellis International. “I want to thank each and every individual helping to bring this together, providing much-needed warm apparel for those affected by this terrible tragedy.”